Choose shoes based on comfort, not gait analysis

What to Do

Try on 3-5 pairs of running shoes and pick the ones that feel most comfortable rather than relying on in-store gait analysis or pronation assessments to dictate your choice.

Why It Works

Nielsen et al. (2013) demonstrated that pronation-based shoe prescription does not reduce injury risk in novice runners. A British Journal of Sports Medicine study found runners who chose shoes based on comfort had fewer injuries than those assigned shoes based on gait analysis. In-store treadmill analysis watches only your feet, missing gait issues that originate in the hip, core, or trunk.

Tips

• Comfort matching reduces blisters and mid-run discomfort by up to 50%
• "Overpronation" is used too generically in shoe marketing — most beginners do fine in neutral shoes
• If you want professional biomechanical analysis, see a sports medicine physical therapist instead of a retail store
• Jog around the store or on the in-store treadmill before deciding